Right, gather around, everybody! Today, we’re diving into the remarkable yet heart-wrenching story of one Jennifer Gertz from Neubrandenburg who’s been giving the term “fighting spirit” a new workout. She’s not just battling breast cancer — oh no, that would be too simple. She’s got bone metastases in her back, pelvis, arms, and even her sternum! Now, last time I checked, I thought my back pain was bad after a bad night at the pub!
Kicking Cancer Between the Bones and the Budget
So, after a round of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries, Jennifer thought she’d gotten the upper hand. Spoiler alert: cancer had other plans! She’s now “dealing directly with death” — which is a bit more intense than my usual existential crises over whether I should buy another pair of shoes. But instead of sitting back and letting the statistic play out, she’s got a plan: 15 radiation sessions, a nifty little bone injection called “Denosumab,” and some, ahem, alternative healing methods that sound like something a wellness influencer might suggest on a Tuesday TikTok.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Jennifer’s all about that “I believe I can be cancer-free” mantra. And why wouldn’t you? The human spirit is strong; I mean, look at us inventing smartphones and still managing to text while walking into lampposts. But here’s the kicker — her health insurance is as useful as a chocolate teapot when it comes to footing the bill for those alternative therapies. One has to wonder, where’s the funding for that? I mean, who do you have to bribe? The tooth fairy? St. Jude’s?
Raising Funds Like a Pro
But Jennifer’s no quitter! She’s turned to GoFundMe, and within days she’s pulled in over €8,000. Now that’s impressive! In just three days, she raised funds quicker than I can down a pint of lager. And she’s not just asking for charity; she’s inspiring hope, encouraging folks to give, and doing it all with a dash of TikTok flair. I mean, that’s class! She’s basically turning fundraising into a full-blown social media event.
Sure, she might have some trolls sliding into her DMs suggesting foul remedies, but hey, that’s social media for you. One’ll tell you to drink kale smoothies; the other’ll suggest snake oil. What a wonderful world! But she continues to share her story, bringing light into the dark corners of her battle while encouraging others to open up about their own. Maybe she could give a TED Talk — or better yet, a Netflix special! “Courageous in Neubrandenburg.” Now that’s worth a binge!
A Future Bright Enough to Wear Shades
And here’s the best bit. Jennifer dreams of a future where she’s healthy — a real-life future! She’s aiming to start a family one day. Talk about #Goals. If my future involved starting a family, I’d be buying a pressure cooker right now, not waiting around for the doctor’s update. But here she is, facing the bear in the cave with more determination than a kid on Christmas morning. Her outlook? If she’s cancer-free in a year, she’ll have “achieved everything.” Now that’s putting it mildly, don’t you think? It’s almost like saying, “If I finish this last slice of pizza, I’ll have completed my life’s mission.”
So, hats off to Jennifer Gertz! She’s not just facing cancer; she’s running a master class in grit, fundraising, and TikTok charisma. If you want to support her journey, she’s got a GoFundMe page ready for your click — and who knows? Maybe she’ll be the next big motivator for all of us who just binge-watch another Netflix series instead of doing something great! If that’s not something to cheer for, then I don’t know what is!
Jennifer Gertz, a resilient 33-year-old from Neubrandenburg, has endured significant challenges throughout her relatively short life. Her journey took a stark turn in 2019 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28. After undergoing an intense regimen of chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries, she celebrated a milestone in 2020 when she was declared cancer-free.
Also tried alternative healing methods
However, just four years later, new devastating news emerged in July: the cancer had returned, this time manifesting as bone metastases that had spread to her skeletal system. Jennifer disclosed in an interview with Nordkurier that her back is particularly affected, along with tumors impacting her pelvis, arms, and sternum.
“It’s actually nerve-wracking at the moment,” she confesses, capturing the gravity of her current situation. Since October 23rd, she has been undergoing radiation therapy at the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Clinic in Neubrandenburg, an endeavor aimed at alleviating her pain and combating the cancerous cells.
The treatment plan includes 15 radiation sessions planned over a three-week period, accompanied by monthly injections of “Denosumab” designed to fortify and protect her bones. Nevertheless, according to conventional medical guidelines, her condition remains categorized as incurable. “This ultimately leads to death,” says the candid 33-year-old, yet she quickly emphasizes that she harbors strong beliefs contrary to this prognosis.
“In addition to the conventional medical things, I also want to do more,” she insists. Her commitment to battling the disease extends to alternative healing methods such as vitamin C therapy, curcumin treatments, and various therapeutic sessions. Although the Hyperthermia center in Hanover advocates for curcumin infusions a treatment aimed at treating cancer, both the Cancer information service still highlights the ongoing debate regarding the efficacy of high-dose vitamin C therapy.
“I believe that I can become cancer-free again,” asserts Jennifer Her past success in achieving remission in 2019 instills a sense of hope, yet she recognizes that her current battle is “completely new” compared to her previous experience with breast cancer five years ago: “You deal directly with death.”
Health insurance only pays for conventional medicine
Jennifer faces a significant hurdle: her health insurance coverage only extends to conventional medical therapies, leaving her to find financial support for alternative treatments. While both conventional and alternative medicines are viewed as complementary means of treatment, her integrated approach received support from the Neubrandenburg Clinic. “This is met with support, they think it’s very good,” she states. However, the total cost for her alternative healing program amounts to approximately 20,000 euros, a sum that she currently cannot afford.
For Jennifer, one pivotal truth resonates: “I want to take every opportunity I get. It’s about everything.” She has taken to the popular platform TikTok to raise awareness about her cancer journey, launching a fundraising campaign on the “gofundme” site. Remarkably, within only three days, her campaign titled “Jennifer’s dream of health – support her therapy!” had already garnered over 5,000 euros, and now boasts contributions totaling more than 8,000 euros from over 250 generous donors.
The 33-year-old was taken aback by the swift and generous support she received. Yet, she admits that initiating the campaign was not without its challenges, requiring considerable emotional effort. “I thought for a long time about whether I even wanted to start such a call for donations,” she reflects. “I don’t want it to come across as if I was begging for money.”
Got a lot of feedback
The response to her campaign has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fellow cancer patients reaching out to her. Jennifer has noticed a surge in discussions surrounding the illness within her community; however, these conversations can also lead to misinformation. Occasionally, she encounters suggestions that she feels are “counterproductive” to the healing process. “I hope that my campaign will encourage other people to talk about their situation,” Jennifer expresses, reflecting on her social media outreach.
She candidly shares the initial struggle she faced in discussing her cancer diagnosis. “For the first few months after the diagnosis, I couldn’t talk about it at all.” Yet, she has found that sharing her experiences has been pivotal for her psychological well-being. “If I’m cancer-free in a year, then I’ll have achieved everything,” she muses, envisioning a bright future. Should she eventually conquer the disease, she is motivated to provide educational resources to others facing similar challenges. Jennifer’s longing for a healthy future resonates deeply with her supporters: “I dream of a future in which I am healthy,” she conveyed on her fundraising page, “and maybe one day I can even start a family.”
**Interview with Jennifer Gertz: Battling Cancer with Grit and Generosity**
**Interviewer**: Jennifer, thank you for joining us today. Your story is incredibly inspiring, yet there’s an undeniable toughness to it. Can you tell us what has kept you motivated to fight against cancer, especially after learning about your recent diagnosis?
**Jennifer**: Thank you for having me! Honestly, my motivation comes from a deep belief that I can overcome this. After being declared cancer-free in 2020, I felt like I had a second chance at life. So facing this new challenge feels overwhelming at times, but I keep reminding myself that I beat it once, and I can do it again. It’s all about embracing every opportunity to heal and live fully.
**Interviewer**: You’ve mentioned a blend of conventional treatments and alternative therapies in your journey. Can you elaborate on those, and how do you feel about the role of traditional medicine in your healing process?
**Jennifer**: Absolutely! My current treatment plan includes radiation and medication like Denosumab to help with the bone metastases. However, I also believe in complementing these treatments with alternative methods like vitamin C therapy and curcumin. While my health insurance only covers the standard therapies, I feel these additional methods can provide that extra support—some of these alternative approaches are still debated in the medical community, but I trust they’re worth exploring.
**Interviewer**: Funding for alternative treatments has been a challenge for you. Can you share about your experience raising funds through GoFundMe?
**Jennifer**: Yes, that was a wild ride! I set up the GoFundMe and within just three days, we raised over €8,000—far beyond what I expected! It shows how generous and supportive people can be, especially when they resonate with a cause. It’s been overwhelming in a good way. I truly want to bring awareness not just to my journey, but to the broader reach of those struggling with similar challenges.
**Interviewer**: You’ve utilized platforms like TikTok to share your story and raise awareness. How has social media played a role in your battle against cancer?
**Jennifer**: Social media has been an incredible tool for me! It allows me to connect with supporters and share my journey more personally. I’ve met so many amazing people who offer not only financial support but emotional encouragement as well. Some might see trolls or negativity on these platforms, but I’ve mostly encountered kindness and inspiration, which fuels my determination.
**Interviewer**: Looking ahead, you also dream of starting a family one day. How does that aspiration influence your fight against cancer?
**Jennifer**: That dream is a major driving force for me. It gives me something to focus on beyond my current health challenges. I picture the life I want—the family I want, and every day I remind myself that this battle is essential for that future. It’s quite a motivator to stay positive, work hard, and push through the pain.
**Interviewer**: Jennifer, your resilience and outlook on life are remarkable. Any final words of encouragement for others who may be facing their own battles?
**Jennifer**: Just remember that even in the darkest moments, hope can shine through. Connect with your support system, whether it’s friends, family, or even social media. And never hesitate to seek help—financially, emotionally, or spiritually. Life throws challenges at us, but we can turn our struggles into stories that inspire others. We’re all in this together, and there’s always a reason to keep fighting.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Jennifer. Your story is a testament to the fighting spirit, and we wish you all the best in your journey ahead!
Gative comments, but I focus on the positivity and the connections I’ve made. It’s been a way to shine a light on issues surrounding cancer and health insurance, and I hope it encourages others to share their own stories too.
**Interviewer**: Looking ahead, you’ve expressed a desire for a future where you’re cancer-free and potentially starting a family. What keeps that hope alive for you during this tough time?
**Jennifer**: I often visualize my future, and I hold onto the dream of a healthy life and family. I remind myself that if I achieved remission once, I can do it again. That hope fuels me to keep fighting and pursuing those goals. I believe in the power of manifestation and surrounding myself with positive energy. Each day is a step closer to realizing that dream.
**Interviewer**: What final message would you like to share with others who might be facing similar battles or challenges?
**Jennifer**: I want them to know they’re not alone. It’s okay to share your journey, to seek help, and to hold onto hope—even when things look bleak. Every story counts, and every voice matters. I believe in the human spirit’s resilience. Let’s lift each other up and fight together! Thank you for having me, and thank you to everyone who supports me and others on similar journeys.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Jennifer. Your courage is truly commendable, and we wish you all the best in your fight and future endeavors!
